I've only been an "expert" for a short time and I've been impressed with alot of the answers I've seen and rated.

However, I have a little concern about some of the intra-expert criticism recently. Not overly concerned, but enough to want to address it.

I believe that most of us are here for the same purpose. That is to use our experience and education to help others. I think we all agree with that. I would like to spend my precious time here concentrating on that.

There will always be those who will try to "pull our chain". We all know that happens all the time. How we react to these attempts is up to US, though.

Recently I was reading about a school teacher who understood "chain-pulling". One day all 22 of her students decided to pull her chain. While she had her back turned to them and was writing on the blackboard, right at the stroke of 12:00 they all dropped their books in a manner that would make the loudest noise. To their suprise she just continued to write on the board! When she finished, she went to her desk, picked up her book and dropped it in the same manner, and said, "Sorry! I was late!"

As I said, we have the ability to decide whether someone pulls our string. I for one am not going to spend much more time reacting, but spend as much time as I can afford answering those that are in need of our advice and expertise.

I've read and rated many of your responses to these needs and I believe we have a good group of truly concerned folks who are not here just to get good ratings, but to help others.

Continue your good work!

Your fellow "expert",

William (wwnelsonfive11)

Help4U1 gave this response on 4/9/2000:

William,

You sent a wonderful letter that truly touches the heart of this whole situation. We do decide and make choices as to what will bother us.

If we answer letters honestly and to the best of our ability does it really matter what another expert thinks? We all have our own opinions but the only opinion that really matters is to the person whom we are responding to. That is what we are here for and hopefully we can all pull together and support each other.